Welcome to Zonta

Welcome

to Zonta

®

Acronyms

Zonta InternationalHQ Headquarters

ICC International Committee Chairman

IHM International Honorary Member

INC International Nominating Committee

PIP Past International President

PR&C Public Relations & Communications

SOM Sponsoring, Organizing and Mentoring

Zonta Foundation for WomenAE Amelia Earhart

ISP International Service Project

JMK Jane M. Klausman

YWPA Young Women in Public Affairs

United Nations and Council of EuropeCEDAW Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of

Discrimination Against Women

CSW Commission on the Status of Women

DGC Department of Global Communications

ECOSOC United Nations Economic and Social Council

ILO International Labour Organization

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

SDG Sustainable Development Goals

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UNFPA United Nations Population Fund

UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund

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Welcome to Zonta International

You are now part of a global network of professionals, like you, who are committed to equal rights and a life free of violence for all women and girls. Thank you for joining us!

Our MissionZonta International is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.

Our VisionZonta International envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men.

In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.

Where We Are Located

There are more than 1,100 Zonta clubs in 63 countries as of 2020. Zonta International Headquarters is located in Oak Brook, Illinois, USA.

History in Brief

Early Zontians were among the first generation of college-educated women, the first generation of North American women to vote and a part of the growing, though still comparatively small, legion of women entering the workforce. They had a commitment to ensure equal rights for women and improving women’s lives.

Zonta’s first club was chartered in Buffalo, New York, on 8 November 1919. Membership grew rapidly. By 1920, a confederation of nine Zonta clubs had formed with 600 members.

Now in its second century, Zonta remains dedicated to its mission and focused on key topics to achieve that mission such as expanding education, ending gender-based violence and eliminating child marriage.

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Zonta Emblem

Zonta, meaning honest and trustworthy, is derived from Lakhota (Teton Dakota), a language of the Native American Sioux peoples. It was adopted in 1919 to symbolize the combined qualities of honesty and trust, inspiration, and the ability to work together for service and world understanding.

Zonta Rose

Since 1999, the Zonta Rose has served as the symbol of Zonta Rose Day, which falls on 8 March and coincides with International Women’s Day. On this special day, Zontians worldwide are encouraged to publicly distribute yellow roses, or items bearing the image of yellow roses, accompanied by information about Zonta International and issues relating to improving the lives of women.

Zonta Official Colors

Mahogany and Gold

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Pantone: 1815C CMYK: 21/92/82/35 RGB: 128/37/40 HEX: 802528

Pantone: 142C CMYK: 3/27/83/0 RGB: 245/189/71 HEX: F5BD47

Find brand identity guidelines at: zonta.org

Zonta’s Structure

You are here!

District Committees

International Headquarters

Districts

Governor District Board

Zonta Foundation for Women President Foundation Board

Areas

Area Director

Club Members

Club Committees

Zonta International President International Board

International Committees

Clubs

Club PresidentClub Board

District Foundation Ambassadors

Zonta International Convention

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Your Voice in Zonta Club leadership has the responsibility to ensure that the thoughts and ideas of its members are heard and shared in a constructive, encouraging manner.

Club life should allow members the opportunity to participate, grow and serve in a friendly, responsible atmosphere.

Members are encouraged to engage in a wider, international network of clubs by attending area meetings, district conferences, inter-district meetings and international conventions.

While your club’s vote is essential for Zonta business, your voice is just as important for your club’s efforts and our shared Zonta International mission.

Participation in Zonta

Club members are the decision makers.

They bring ideas from their clubs to area meetings.

Decisions made at area meetings are brought to the district conferences.

At district conferences, voting members pass proposed resolutions and amendments to bring to the International Convention.

Delegates, elected by the clubs, represent them at the International Convention, vote

and make decisions to ensure Zonta lives up to its mission and achieves its vision.

Zonta advocacy is action taken in “the public interest” or for “the greater good” with respect to empowering women and girls and promoting and protecting their human rights.

InternationalZonta International uses its strong voice to present our priorities and demand focused action when advocating for gender equality and women’s human rights worldwide. Through statements, United Nations (UN) actions and partnerships, Zonta works for gender equity in education, improved economic status and an end to gender-based violence.

Zonta advocates primarily through its General Consultative Status with ECOSOC at the UN and its Participatory Status at the Council of Europe (CoE). Zonta International has been affiliated with the UN since 1969 and has been represented in the CoE since 1983. For decades, Zonta also has partnered with UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women and other global organizations.

National Zonta International, districts, areas and clubs draft letters and send petitions to national governments to initiate or influence hearings and legislation on issues affecting women and girls.

Local Zonta clubs monitor laws and policies and their impact on women, participate in hearings and public meetings with local politicians and administrators and host speakers and panels to raise awareness about issues affecting women at the local level.

Zonta International is nonpartisan and nonsectarian.

Advocacy

What We Do

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Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women

In 2012, Zonta International launched “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women,” a global campaign to raise awareness of and increase advocacy actions to end violence against women and girls around the world.

Every year, during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (25 November–10 December), Zonta clubs and Zontians around the world take action and advocate to end gender-based violence in all its forms.

ZONTA TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

SAYSNO

Zonta International not only advocates for women’s rights and gender equality in all facets of life, we also partner with UN agencies such as UNFPA, UNICEF USA and others to financially support projects to empower women and girls to understand their rights and realize their full potential.

These are part of the International Service Projects (ISP) and are voted on at the International Convention every two years.

Projects have focused on issues such as:• Education• Equality and human rights • Economic empowerment• Gender-based violence• Child marriage• Health • Trafficking in humans• And much more, see www.zonta.org/ISP

Service

Clubs conduct local projects that are in line with our mission, focused on education, empowerment, ending gender-based violence and more.

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Amelia Earhart Fellowship• Established in 1938 in honor of famed aviator

and Zontian, Amelia Earhart• Up to 35 fellowships of US$10,000 each awarded

annually• For women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in

aerospace engineering and space sciences

Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship• Established in 1998 from a bequest by Jane M.

Klausman, a member of the Zonta Club of Syracuse, New York, USA

• Six international scholarships of US$8,000 each and up to 32 district scholarships of US$2,000 each awarded annually

• For women pursuing undergraduate or master’s degrees in business or a business-related field

Young Women in Public Affairs Award• Established in 1990• 10 international awards of US$5,000 each and up

to 32 district awards of US$1,500 each awarded annually

• For young women, ages 16 to 19, who demonstrate a commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and a dedication to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy

Education and Youth Development

These Zonta-led programs are directly funded by contributions to the Zonta Foundation for Women.

Z Clubs and Golden Z ClubsEstablished in 1948, the Z Club and Golden Z Club program helps high school, college and university students develop leadership skills, promotes career exploration, and encourages members to participate in community, school and international service.

Z club and Golden Z clubs are sponsored by Zonta clubs who provide resources, information and guidance to support Z club and Golden Z club members as they work to improve their communities and the world.

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The Zonta Foundation for Women is a not-for-profit charitable organization supported solely by contributions from clubs, individuals and friends of Zonta who share a commitment to gender equality and a life free of violence for all women and girls. Every biennium, the Zonta Foundation for Women provides more than US$5 million for Zonta International’s programs and projects that benefit thousands of women around the world. Visit www.zonta.org/foundation for more information.

Zonta Foundation for Women

Clubs shall have the goal of contributing at least 1/3 of funds raised locally to the Zonta Foundation for Women to support Zonta International’s service and educational award programs. Club members are also encouraged to make an individual contribution to the Foundation.

Membership dues collected by Zonta International support the operating expenses of Zonta International and the Zonta Foundation for Women.

Contributions to the Zonta Foundation for Women go entirely to project and program support.

Your Zonta Club Experience

As a member of your local Zonta club, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of women and girls in your local community and around the world.

Be empowered yourself as you empower women and girls in the world around you.

Access to a global network

Actively engaging in service to women in

your local community and around the world

Participating in local and global

advocacy activities

Leadership skills

development

Lifelong friendships

Cross-cultural sharing

Greater understanding of the global issues

affecting women and girls

Your Benefits Your Contributions

Participate in club meetings, service projects and fundraising activities

Advocate on women’s issues both locally and globally

Attend area meetings, district conferences and international conventions

Take on leadership roles at the local level and beyond

Introduce new individuals to support Zonta’s mission

Support international service projects through donations to the Zonta Foundation for Women

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Important Zonta Dates

JANUARY Amelia Earhart Month

11 JAN Amelia Earhart Day

MARCH Commission on the Status of Women (New York, NY, USA)

08 MAR Zonta Rose Day and International Women’s Day

11 OCT International Day of the Girl Child

24 OCT United Nations Day

08 NOV Zonta International’s Birthday

25 NOV International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

25 NOV– 10 DEC

Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women and 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

10 DEC Human Rights Day

www.zonta.org